Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Turkish President over Fire Victims in Bolu 

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in a hotel at a ski resort of Kartalkaya, located in Bolu province, in northwest Türkiye, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Enes Ozkan/IHA via AP)
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in a hotel at a ski resort of Kartalkaya, located in Bolu province, in northwest Türkiye, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Enes Ozkan/IHA via AP)
TT
20

Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Turkish President over Fire Victims in Bolu 

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in a hotel at a ski resort of Kartalkaya, located in Bolu province, in northwest Türkiye, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Enes Ozkan/IHA via AP)
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in a hotel at a ski resort of Kartalkaya, located in Bolu province, in northwest Türkiye, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Enes Ozkan/IHA via AP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Tuesday a cable of condolences to Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the victims of a fire at a ski resort in the Bolu region.

He expressed his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the Turkish president and the families of the deceased, wishing a swift recovery for all the injured.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Erdogan a similar cable of condolences.

A fire at a ski resort hotel in Türkiye’s Bolu mountains killed 76 people and injured dozens on Tuesday.

Erdogan declared Wednesday a day of national mourning after the incident.



Saudi Council of Senior Scholars: Performing Hajj without a Permit Is a Sin

Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
TT
20

Saudi Council of Senior Scholars: Performing Hajj without a Permit Is a Sin

Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Senior Scholars stressed on Sunday the need to obtain a permit for anyone wishing to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

In a statement, it warned that performing the pilgrimage without the permit “is a sin” and would “lead to several dangers and impact the safety and health of pilgrims and the services provided.”

Meanwhile, the Holy Makkah Municipality said 22,000 of its members and members of other entities are dedicating their services and capabilities to implement this year’s Hajj season plan.

The municipality has provided 28 centers in the holy sites to offer the best services to the pilgrims.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, municipality spokesman Osama al-Zeitouni said it has backed up its efforts with several electronic platforms and apps that would help boost the efficiency of services and speed up procedures.

It has also dedicated a large fleet of equipment and human cadres and set up integrated plans and work programs that cover the entirety of the Hajj, he added.

The municipality's efforts include and are not limited to training members on crisis, disaster and crowd management. Dedicated teams will be in place to handle emergencies caused by rain or fires, as well as handling waste and garbage, providing protection against insects and regularly disinfecting camps.

The municipality has dedicated a team to monitor the markets, grocery stores and restaurants to ensure the safety of food provided.